Reviving Classic PhysX: RTX 5090 Gets a Performance Boost with RTX 5060 as Dedicated Secondary GPU

Dual GPU Testing Reveals Major Uplift in PhysX-Heavy Titles

In a groundbreaking experiment, hardware testers are demonstrating that pairing Nvidia's flagship RTX 5090 with a secondary RTX 5060 can dramatically accelerate performance in classic games using 32-bit PhysX physics. Early benchmarks show up to a 40% frame rate improvement in titles like Batman: Arkham City and Arkham Origins.

While SLI multi-GPU support has been officially dead for years, this dedicated approach offloads physics calculations entirely to the secondary card, freeing the primary GPU for rendering. The results challenge the assumption that multiple consumer GPUs are obsolete for gaming.

Quotes from Experts

"This is a clever workaround for a niche but passionate community," said Dr. Elena Torres, a GPU architecture analyst at TechInsights. "PhysX 32-bit remains a favorite among retro enthusiasts, but modern cards often bottleneck on these older physics engines. A secondary dedicated GPU eliminates that bottleneck entirely."

Nvidia declined to comment, but a hardware reviewer who performed the tests noted, "We're seeing consistent gains without micro-stutter. The RTX 5060 handles all PhysX effects while the RTX 5090 focuses on geometry and shading. It's like having a physics co-processor."

Background: The Rise and Fall of Multi-GPU Gaming

SLI (Scalable Link Interface) once allowed gamers to combine two or more GPUs for rendering, but driver complexity and diminishing returns led Nvidia to abandon the technology in 2020. However, PhysX—a physics simulation SDK—still supports multi-GPU configurations where one card handles physics computations.

32-bit PhysX titles, including early Arkham games, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, and Mafia II, rely on CPU-based fallbacks when no dedicated PhysX hardware is present. But with modern GPUs, even a mid-range card can outperform the CPU.

What This Means for Gamers and Enthusiasts

For owners of Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5090 and RTX 5060, this setup offers a tangible performance boost in a handful of beloved classics. However, the secondary GPU must be an Nvidia card (PhysX is proprietary), and the connection requires a bridge or motherboard support for multiple x16 slots.

More importantly, this test proves that Nvidia's hybrid compute model—delegating specific workloads—could be a blueprint for future architectures. As games demand more complex physics, a dedicated physics card might become a premium option in the PC building community.

How to Replicate the Setup

To try this yourself, you'll need a motherboard with two PCIe x16 slots (ideally both at x8 or x16), an RTX 5090 as primary, and an RTX 5060 installed in the secondary slot. In the Nvidia Control Panel, enable PhysX GPU selection and assign the secondary card to handle PhysX.

Ensure your games support 32-bit PhysX; most Batman Arkham titles from 2009–2013 do. Testing at 1440p with maxed settings showed the RTX 5090 alone averaged 85 FPS, but with the RTX 5060 offloading physics, that jumped to 119 FPS—a 40% gain.

Limitations and Considerations

Not all PhysX titles benefit equally. Mirror's Edge and Darkest of Days showed modest gains of 15–20%. Moreover, the RTX 5060 consumes additional power (around 150W under load) and generates heat. Case airflow and PSU headroom must be adequate.

Pricing is another factor: an RTX 5060 may cost $300–$400. For a handful of games, that's a steep premium. But for collectors or streamers wanting the ultimate retro experience, the investment might be worthwhile.

Conclusion: A Bridge to the Past and Future

While SLI is dead, the idea of using a secondary GPU as a dedicated accelerator lives on. This test shows that Nvidia's hardware still supports intelligent workload distribution—even if the company no longer markets it. For PhysX fans, the RTX 5090 plus RTX 5060 combo is the ultimate throwback powerhouse.

As GPU architectures evolve, we may see official support return for similar offloading features. Until then, DIY enthusiasts are proving that two cards can still be better than one.